The first train in the country travelled through the newly built station in the northern city ofMazar-i-Sharif, after a trail run from the border withUzbekistan.
The Deputy Public Works Minsiter, Noor Gul Mangal told Dawn newspaper that the new line was created to linkAfghanistanto its neighbour’s railways for the first time.
The rail line is also supposed to improve trading between Europe andAsia.
Afghanistanhas never had a functions rail network and many projects for improved travel have begun and then abandoned for years.
Russian occupiers have instigated a few rail projects in the 1980s, but the civil war that took place years later made any further constructions impossible to see through.
The line runs from the border town ofHairatanto Mazar-i-Sharif.
It is also a main route for theUStroop withdrawal this year, as well as a way for Afghan exports to travel to its neighbours.
The train service is currently holding up goods, such as fuel and other supplies, for US troops.
The Asian Development Bank funded the $165 million project and its economist Juan Miranda told Dawn, “ThisportofHairatanis where the bulk of commercial cargo is coming from into the country, so it is very important.”
